WESLEYAN CONFERENCE.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 8740, 12 March 1894, Page 3

WESLEYAN CONFERENCE.

Saturday, March 10. Representative Session.

METHODIST UNION. The Conference resumed at 8.30 a.m. in open session, the Rev. D. McNicoll iv the chair. The following notices of motion were given : — The Rev. W. Morley—Recommendation to General Conference " That in case of the death or affliction of the President of the General Conference during his term of office, provision be made for tha emergency by following the precedent of the law in regard to the Presideucy of the Annual Conference (see par. 307 Book of Laws) viz., that the last surviving President of the General Conference shall undertake the duties.''

The Rev. W. Morley—" (1) That with a view to placing necessary information before members of future Conferences, and saving time when in session, it is desirable thab a guide book be prepared, such guide book containing balance-sheets of connexional properties, of conuexioual aud Conference fluids and reports of s>anie, also tables of statistics, reports of special Committees, and other items as may be ordered. (2) That a Committee be appointed to consider duriDg the year the best method of carrying out the above, aud if It be found practicable, be authorised to issue such guide book and supply the same to members of the next Conference at the price of, say, 2s each, a fortnight prior to the Conference assembling." The Rev. H. R. Dewsbury submitted the report of the Committee on Methodist union. It stated that the conditions imposed by the late Conference had been carried out, and replies had been received from a number of circuits, 47 voting for 1 union upon certain conditions, 6 against, 4 declined and 3 sent no reports. The aggregate votes for were 445, against 16, neutral 4. The recommendations received were returned to the district meetings for further consideration The Committee met again en January 4th and received the replies. Auckland considered the union premature, Wangariui approved principle, but couldl not support the proposed basis ; Wellington supported a union, Nelson that it was desirable, Canterbury also in favour, Otago could make no recommendation. Subject to certain verbal alterations the Committee substantially retained the provisions of the basis submitted to the last Conference. A meeting of the United Committees of the Wesleyan, Free Methodist aud Bible Christian Churches was held on January Bfch, at which a letter was read from the Primitive Methodist Church that the resolution passed by that body prevented them from joiniug the Conference.

The Bible Christian Committee stated that the question had not been considered by their quarterly meetings. The Free Methodist Committee reported that the large majority of the members oi their meetings had pronounced against union, excepting on such a basis as would give to ministers and laymen absolutely equal standing in all Church Courts. Both these sections stated that their Committees had met a Committee of the Primitive Methodist Church, and had agreed upon a basis among themselves. After other meetings, at which correspondence was read from the different bodies, the Committee came to the conclusions embodied in the following recommendations which they now reported : — (1) Your Committee is of opinion that a union between the Free Methodist, Bible Christian Churches and our own is earnestly desired by the membership of all three churches, and recommends that a Committee be appointed to confer further with the similar Committees of the two first-named churches and to conduct further negotiations. (2) Your Committee ask direction in regard to communicating directly with the Primitive Methodist district meeting as no Committee has been appointed by them during the last year. (3) Your Committee also recommends that representations be made to the General Conference with a view to secure approval of the present basis, and that power be sought to comsummate union at as early a date as possible."

The Rev. H. R. Dewsbury moved that the -eport be adopted, which was seconded.

The Rev. W. Morley said that the report showed that the majority of the circuits were in favour of the uuion, and the resolutions at the quarterly meetings were pretty clear evidence of the views of the people generally. He was inclined to think that on the attitude taken by the Primitive Methodists little more than a year ago there waa a very large number of members of that body who would do their utmost to bring about the union. The more he looked at the matter the more he considered it was their duty to promote the cause of God in the direction mentioned. Division in the cities was baneful enough, but when it came to small communities the division was not justified in the eyes of God or common sense. He advocated proceeding in such a manner as would lead the Australian colonies to join in the movement, and suggested that the General Conference should be asked to grant permissive legislation to such colonies as were prepared to unite.

The Rev. W. Lee moved as an amendment the recommendation of the Auckland District —" That it is premature to discuss the question of uuion until the whole of the Methodist bodies are prepared to unite." It did not seem to him that it would be wise to move for the Union at present; besides which he held that the action of the Primitive Methodists had killed the idea. (Expressions of dissent.) Instead of doing good, it would do harm. Far better would it be to let matters remain as they were. As far as permissive legislation was concerned, it would be very unwise for different colonies to have different constitutions.

The Rev. W. G. Parsonson seconded the motion pro forma, and submitted they had no evidence before them that their own people desired the union ; they did not show that earnest desire they might be expected to show if they really wanted uuion. If there had been any movement in the direction it was on the part of the ministers -—{Cries of "No, no"). That was his opinion, and he had yet to learn th_t the people agreed. The Primitive Methodists they knew had shown no enthusiasm.. He was sorry the matter was dragged on year after

' year in that unwholesome fashion, paralysing the efforts of the Church. The Rev. L. Hudson said the desire for the union had grown, and because the people were in favour of it he supported it. Having seen what they had seen in country places as regarded overlapping he had come to the conclusion that on the ground of their common Christianity they should make any sacrifice to bring about the. union. The Rev. J. Dukes advocated union with those bodies ready to unite as a step towards getting the others to join, for as a Church, he held that the Wealeyaus could not go back from the position they had already takeu up. Delay meant a multiplication of difficulties. The Rsv. J. J. Lewis observed that the subject had not been looked at from the public point of view, and he said that if they had an enlarged Methodist. Church presenting a common front, the effect of the union itself would be attractive. He could not understand those who opposed uoion or wished to delay it, for the feeling in its favour was stronger than many imagined, and he from personal knowledge kuew that the Primitive Methodists desired it. This Uniou, he felt, would be mor<* to the glory of God, and would bo one of the greatest instruments in overpov.ering the devil. Air J. Manchester was of opinion that the people would support tho attitude the Conierence considered was the proper one to assume. He hoped there would be no vacillation. The Rev. W. J. Williams remarked that they could not shrink from the responsibilities of this Union, and it was disappointing to think that the consummation had not long since occurred. He believed it would result beneficially to the whole Church, and he was sorry the General Conference crushed the desire when it was so hopeful. Those opposed to it did so mainly on personal grounds.—(Cries of dissent) —which would not bear looking into. Then as far as he could learn the majority of the Primitive Methodists were in favour of it, and as regarded concessions he asked how much further the Wesleyan body could go than it had gone in its recommendations to the General Conference.

Mr W. Harding said that the opposition oi the laity was in the minority. The Rev. W. C. Oliver pointed out that the Otago vote was taken at the end of the meeting, and it was his opinion that had it been discussed earlier tho finding would have been reversed. He supported the

union. The Rev. T. Fee was opposed to the union, and remarked that should it come about there would within the first three years spring up a new Methodist Church. The time had not yet come for the union, though he prayed that it would. Mr G. J. Smith denied that the movement for uuion was mainly on the part of ministers, and said that those opposed to it had to thank the attitude of the Primitive Methodists to assist them in standing out. He strongly favoured the union. Mr W. Moxham said that if they believed in the glorious future of their Christianity they must all combine to bring about the union of Methodism. The amendment was put to the meeting and lost by 41 votes to 10. The motion was carried amidst applause by 48 votes to 6. The following motions, proposed by the Rev. W. Morley, were then carried :— ** That a communication be prepared by the Committee and forwarded to the next Primitive Methodist Conference, respectfully asking that the subject be agaiu considered aud that the superintendents of the Wellington and Hut. circuits, with Messrs Moxham and Tiller, present the same on behalf of the Conference." "That the General Conference be earnestly requested to take steps for the consummation of organic Methodist Union in the several colonies, under its jurisdiction, at as early a date as possible, but should this not be found possible authority be given to any annual Conference whose opinion is already matured to bring about such Union within its own territory on a fair basis;" and " That should it be found practicable to hold a convention of all the Methodist Churches in Australasia, in the city of Adelaide at or prior to the session of our General Conference, this Conference is prepared heartily to enter into the same and appoints tbe ministers and laymen already elected to attend the General Conference as its representatives to the Convention." On the motion of the Rev. H. R. Dewsbury the following Committee was appointed to confer with the other bodies on the recommendation contained in the report which was adopted on the motion of the Rev. W. Morley:—The Revs. W. Morley, H. R. Dewsbury, P. W. Fairclough, F. W. Isitt, and the ministers of the St. Albans and I Sydenham circuits with Messrs J T..Smith, G. H. Blackwell, C. E. Salter, W. G, Rudd and G. J. Smith. It was resolved that a letter be sent to Dr Ewart, House Surgeon of the Wellington Hospital, thauking him for his kiudness to Mr Student Crump during the latter _ stay in Wellington. On the motion of the Revs. H. Bull and D. J. Murray it was resolved—" That on the state of religion in the! churches the minute be as under : — Extracts from the general returns were read showing an encouraging increase of church members and attendants at public worship during the year. The Conference, having given careful attention to the consideration of subjects relating to the state of God's work in the colony, and having listened to addresses from several of the ministers resolves to place on record its devout thanks to God, the Father of mercies, for His abounding goodness during another year, and also its hearty resolve that ,the advancement of Christ's kingdom shall be ever kept in mind and be the constant aim of earnest effort and fervent prayer." The following Committees were appointed :— Financial District Committee — The ministers of the respective districts and the circuit stewards of the various circuits of those districts, with the lay members of the counexional funds, conference funds, district lay treasurers of connexional trust funds and District Secretaries of church properties are members of the financial district meetings as are also those probationers who are in charge of circuits under the direction of the Chairman, Committee of Privileges—The President, ex-President, the ministers of the Wellington and Hutt circuits, Revs. \y. Morley, W. Lee, J. S. Rishworth, W, C. Olliver, G. Bond, J. J. Lewis, W. J. Williams, H. R. Dewsbury, with Messrs T. Buddie, F. L. Prime, W. Thorne, J. C. George, W. Moxham, G. Tiller, H. Brittain, W. J. Kirk, J. Knight, J. Boon, W. Harris, G. H. Blackwell aud J. P. Simon; Secretary of Conference Convener aud Secretary. Committee of Exigency—The abovenamed ministers and laymen of the Wellington and Hutt circuits, the second minister of the Wellington circuit to be Convener and Secretary. Public Morals Committee —The members of the Committee of Privileges resident in the Wellington and Hutt circuits, with power to add to their number. The session was then adjourned until 2.15 on Monday. ministerial session. The Ministerial Session was then formally opened, the business being taken within closed doors.

The Conference adjourned at 12.30 p.m. until 10 a.m. to-day.